#lovelexva

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Spring FTX Community Service

The first thing that instantly caught my eye was the jeans. I’ve been hunting for a good new pair of white jeans and I have really fallen in love with these by Just Black Denim. White jeans are such an essential in my closet because they’re just as comfortable but they certainly look nicer than regular blue jeans do and are a great way to effortlessly dress up a casual outfit while still feeling comfortable. These jeans have an incredibly comfortable fit and the frayed cuffs give them just enough of a distressed look without overdoing it so they really play with the line between casual and dressy.

As much as I love shopping online nothing really compares to the feeling of going into a boutique, shopping around, and leaving with the perfect outfit right then and there. Gladiola Girls is my absolute favorite place to shop in Lexington, VA and honestly just one of the nicest boutiques I've shopped at in general. Everything about the store just makes my day better from the wonderful people to the unique products and clothes they carry. I’ve gotten everything from scented candles to highlighters to shoes and each time I walk in there are new things covering the shelves. I've posted about them here before but today I'm so incredibly excited to partner with them for this post! They were kind enough to let me pick out this outfit to feature on both my blog and theirs! I'm honestly in love with this slouchy-chic look so let’s talk about it…

The first thing that instantly caught my eye was the jeans. I’ve been hunting for a good new pair of white jeans and I have really fallen in love with these by Just Black Denim. White jeans are such an essential in my closet because they’re just as comfortable but they certainly look nicer than regular blue jeans do and are a great way to effortlessly dress up a casual outfit while still feeling comfortable. These jeans have an incredibly comfortable fit and the frayed cuffs give them just enough of a distressed look without overdoing it so they really play with the line between casual and dressy.

The top was actually a last minute grab off the rack that turned out PERFECTLY. Initially I was just drawn to it because of the color (it’s blush – surprise!) but despite the slouchy fit it is actually a very nice cut and material and could be very versatile. It’s the kind of top that can be dressed up or down so it pairs perfectly with the frayed white jeans. I really liked tucking it into the front and leaving it looser in the back for a more casual look, but it would look great completely tucked in as well with a flashy belt. I think these shoes are really cute! The metallic champagne is a perfect example of a neutral that pairs with a lot of different looks but also adds a touch of sparkle. Not to mention the low heel makes them super comfortable!

The freshwater pearl necklace is just such a classic look that I had to add it to the outfit. It’s the perfect finishing touch to round out this outfit. The loose double strand goes really well with the shirt’s loose, boxy fit and helps to play with that balance between casual and dressy. So if anyone of you are in Lexington and looking for the coolest place to shop you definitely need to swing by this gem of a boutique!!!

The professor asks a question. This is no softball question. This is a question with substance. You wrack your brain thinking of an impressive answer. Across the room, you see your crush raise their hand, slowly, casually, no problem. Leaning back cooly, looking like a snack, they give a breezy answer which makes the question seem totally easy. You swoon.

After class, your crush picks up their backpack with grace, says hello to their many friends (because lots of people like this person) and saunters on to conquer more hearts and studies.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. You’ve been dying to talk to this smart cookie. Now’s your chance. Be bold. Ask your crush out. Here are our tips:

1. Leave a note on the desk your crush usually sits in. If all goes as planned they will text you after class. 

Advantage: Your crush will spend the class scanning the room trying to guess who left it.

Disadvantage: If they sits in a different desk that day someone else may find the note. 

2. Find out who their friends are. Pick one you trust and have them set you up on a “blind date”. Only it won’t be blind for you - just your crush. 

Advantage: This seems casual and cool and totally not your idea.

Disadvantage: You can’t trust everyone. If they tell your crush your plan... cut and run.

3. Write it on a potato and roll it to them. 

Advantage: Everyone likes potatoes.

Disadvantage: I see none.

4. Why wait for a phone number? Send an email. This way you could hyperlink a video of your favorite episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. 

Advantage: You probably already know their name and class year so no need to ask for it, just send it.

Disadvantage: There’s a chance your crush won’t like your favorite TV show and then you’ll know immediately you have no chemistry which I guess in some ways is an advantage.

5. Use Airdrop to send an infographic about why they should go out with you.

Advantage: Easy!

Disadvantage: Creepy.

6. Wait by the Dhall dessert bar until Crush wanders through.

Advantage: It seems like chance brought you two together under the lights of the Marketplace by the sweet smells of Lucky Charms Treats (or whatever you call those little bars of cereal that are essentially Rice Krispie Treats but not).

Disadvantage: You might end up waiting a really long time and maybe your crush will not even venture to Dhall that day.

7. Collaborate with your professor to coordinate a “meet [the professor] after class” situation. Clearly this is a ploy to get your your crush to come to you - your crush is too smart to fail so they will be so shocked and relieved when it’s you waiting with cheese and crackers to tell them they actually did quite well. 

Advantage: Clever way to clock some alone time. 

Disadvantage: They may not appreciate the panic they’ll feel when they’ve been swept up by the unknown.

8. Instagram direct message a dank meme. 

Advantage: Everyone loves a good meme.

Disadvantage: Some may consider this juvenile.

9. Make them a puka shell necklace. 

Advantage: They will think you had style like 20 years ago.

Disadvantage: If they don’t end up wearing it you can’t ask for it back politely. 

10. Jokes aside, just ask! 

The worst thing that could happen is they will say no and then go live on Facebook/Instagram and tell their followers you asked and feature you and you will be so embarrassed you’ll have to run away. ...Right?

...But, probably not. So, go ahead, take a chance, be confident & start a real dialogue like a real adult. At the very least, you can say you tried something scary today. Or, they’ll say yes.

Either way: stride of pride.

So once you’ve succeeded, here’s what to do on your date:

Head out on a hike.

Visit the RC State Cinema in town and catch a good movie - or when the weather’s nice check out Hull’s Drive In.

Pack a picnic for the Outing Club Gazebo for a sunset near campus - or take it to the Parkway.

Grab dinner in town. 

Whether you’re paired up or not (or somewhere in between), Valentine’s Day is a holiday that somehow makes it into everyone’s minds. 

The candy aisle in Walmart is overflowing with pink and red packages, nauseatingly sweet commercials rule the airwaves, and you suddenly long for times in third grade when the holiday meant construction paper Valentines at school rather than midterms.

If it’s just another day for you, February is still a great time of year to take a step back and celebrate some of the relationships that get you through the day, if only for a few hours. (Or to gorge yourself on chocolate and treat yourself.)

For those of you looking to get into the spirit with minimal effort, here are some quick picks to get you going for the next week.

The easiest way? Watch a movie. Regardless of whether you’re a film aficionado or more of a type-away-at-your-laptop-in-the-background folk, the ambiance, storylines, and music of these sappy films are guaranteed to put you in the spirit. Now, whether the spirit means snuggling up with somebody else, enjoying the atmosphere by yourself, or joking with friends is entirely up to you.

10 Things I Hate About You will have you laughing. Valentine’s Day is a cute montage with plenty to love for everyone. About Time is a wholesome and poignant look at both family and personal relationships. While You Were Sleeping is a classic misunderstanding (that ultimately leads to a satisfying will-they-or-won’t-they tension.) Finally, Me Before You and Like Crazy each contain more of an intense, desperately romantic vibe.

More bookish than film-oriented? Looking for something more long-term to indulge your sappy craving? Each of the reads above homes in on a thoughtfully written love story, some more idealized than others. Whether it’s the frenzied grip of first love or a more philosophical breakdown of what it means to be in a relationship (or not in one), the stories aptly capture the sweetness of the holiday.

The Infinite Moment of Us and Isla and the Happily Ever After are both sugary, slightly angsty romances you can’t help but root for. The Beginning of Everything and Everything Leads to You are both coming-of-ages in nature, with romances thrown in that complicate that narrative. Attachments is a classic, laugh-out-loud read that is everything you never knew you needed in a romantic comedy. For the more cynically inclined, On Love is a rational look at a very irrational feeling -- breaking down the process of getting to know others in a way that’s (truthfully) a little mind-blowing.

Throw in some Kit-Kats and some heart-patterned fuzzy socks and you’ve got yourself a night in!

As easy as it is to get wrapped up on the undergrad side of campus, many students forget about how many opportunities exist in the law school. Students can take certain law classes, study in the library, and engage with law students through various organizations. Washington and Lee boasts both a robust undergraduate education and a prestigious law school.

Some students find their home in both.

“Double Generals” -- people who attended Washington and Lee both as undergraduates and graduate students -- are more common than people would expect. With Lexington already being familiar turf, WLULex caught up with these folks to see how their experience as a student here has changed with the campus.

view from the law school on an early morning

Katie Bennett, ‘14, ‘19L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

I probably spent the most time in Newcomb Hall with Professor DeLaney. (I was a history major.)

Where do you spend the most time now?

I unfortunately spend the most time now in the law school—a lot more work then undergrad!

What’s the strangest change you’ve seen in your time here?

I think the strangest change is the junior housing. We didn’t have that at all! Not really strange though, wish we had those when I was here!

Did you take off any time between undergrad and law school?

I took two years off and worked as a marketing coordinator for the American Red Cross.

How do you interact with undergraduates?

I am on the SJC so I interact with them quite a bit! Not really socially anymore though; I kind of feel too old [for that.]

Early Fielding, where  the Executive Committee meets.

John Houser, ‘15, ‘18L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

When I was a freshman, I remember Mac’s being the place to go.  And not just to waste away a slow evening, but to get a quick meal (how times have changed).  If we’re talking about on campus, I used to obsessively eat at Co-op.

Where do you spend the most time now?

Mac’s got traded for Palm’s when I made the switch from undergrad to law.  Co-op is off my list completely, since there’s just no way of easily getting there during the day for me. 

What's the strangest change you've seen in your time at W&L?

Third-Year housing.  Not that I ever went out much as an undergrad, but it’s still odd to think there’s a place on-campus people actually use.  It’s definitely been the largest project W&L has undertaken during the last seven years, too.

Did you take any gap between your time at undergrad versus law school?

I went straight through.  It made graduation anti-climactic, to say the least. 

How do you interact with undergraduate students now? What are ways you think W&L students could better "bridge the gap"?

I only interact with the undergraduate side of campus through the EC and, to a more limited extent, my job in the copy center.  What I wish could happen, as far as bridging the gap goes, is for the students on each side of campus to have a better idea what the other is up to.  Contact and Outing Club are two examples of predominantly-undergraduate organizations that law students would be interested in, if only they knew what they were up to (and, to their credit, both brought on law students in recent years who began advertising events, successfully, in the law school).  As for the law students, I wish more knew that we could audit undergrad classes, because I’ve always thought that’s an untapped resource.

Café 77 (Co-op), a favorite undergraduate haunt.

Cole Bollman, ’16, ’19L

Where did you spend the most time as an undergraduate?

I spent the most amount of time studying up at the top of commons at the booths, hunting/working at Big Spring Farm (about 10 minutes from campus), and a lot of time in Lexco. I definitely spent a lot of time outside hiking and running on the Chessie Trail. I think I had a little bit more free time to do things that were away from campus in undergrad.

Where do you spend the most time now?

Now, I still spend a lot of time studying up at the top of commons at those booths. (There are a lot of awesome people in the law school, but there is also a lot of anxiety and intensity and it’s nice to get out of that environment and also be around some of my undergrad friends who are a little more low-key.) I am also in the law school main reading room working a lot. I still go hiking and run on the Chessie, but not nearly as much as I did before law school. I haven’t been out once to Big Spring to go hunting since law school started. I rarely go to LexCo. I go on a decent number of Outing Club trips and I try to make it out to the Outing Club barn to climb a couple times a month. 

What’s the strangest change you’ve seen in your time here?

This is a tough one. I think that the strangest change I’ve seen is just how isolated the law school is from the rest of campus. There is very little overlap or mingling if you didn’t attend W&L for undergrad or if you don’t currently know students on the undergrad side of campus. I think that most law school students aren’t aware of much of the undergrad side of campus beyond D-Hall, the gym, and the school store. It has been fun to introduce people to Co-Op (law school students still call it Café 76 or [whatever] it is actually named), the tea house, outing club, and several other study spots around campus.

Note from undergrads to the law school: the official name for co-op is Café 77!

Did you take any time off between undergrad and law school?

I went straight through.

Alright, Lexers.

It’s officially winter in Lexington, which means...

1. It’s gonna get cold

2. It is time for A VERY important PSA from your favorite wlulex-perts:

BE!

CAREFUL! 

WALKING!

ON!

ICE!

Though watching classmates slip and slide down the footbridge to campus is entertaining, there is a safer, better way.

To properly walk on the ice and snow, we simply have to take a page out of the book of the fanciest bird: the penguin.

These guys have clearly got it together.  

Though @wlulex could not secure an interview with a real penguin, we’ve done some research to compile the following penguin-inspired tips to keep you on your feet.

Dress Appropriately.

Penguins are always prepared to look their best. They’ve got 24/7 tuxedos. We humans, on the other hand, need boots, coats, scarves, gloves, sunglasses, a smile, etc. to keep us safe from the cold.  

Focus.  

Have you ever seen a penguin stare down at their phone? No. Reading a book while they walk? Of course not. Penguins can’t read. Save it for class.

Waddle!

Take small steps or shuffle to keep yourself stable. Lean your torso forward and keep your center of gravity over your front leg. Keep your knees loose, extend your arms out like flippers, and embrace the waddle.  

Trust No One...

Assume all surfaces are slippery. Our campus does a great job of scattering rocks and salt on slippery surfaces, but we can’t be too careful. Be prepared. 

Still feel uneasy? I guess you can always bring your own salt and sprinkle it Hansel & Gretel style as you walk.

Be prepared to fall.  

It could happen. It could happen in front of people. Those people might giggle. They’ll probably check on you, but they’ll also probably giggle. Learn from this little cutie. Penguins fall down, but they get up again. 

Get back up and take it one step at a time.  You can do it!

Have you thought about setting a resolution or two for the new year? It’s not too late! Even simple resolutions can have a big impact on your overall health, mood and performance at school. Check out WLULEX’s resolutions for 2018!

For Your Health:

1. Wake up at the same time Monday through Friday.

Having trouble sleeping? Sleeping in two hours is no different than trying to go to sleep two hours early that night. Sticking to a regular wake-up time will establish your body’s circadian rhythm and make falling asleep easier. To keep your resolution on track past January, pick a wake-up time that you can maintain. And stay away from that snooze button! Your body needs consistency to adapt to your new sleep schedule. 

2. Design a realistic exercise regimen.

Exercising seven days a week? Not going to happen for most of us. Consider your current exercise routine and brainstorm ways you can step it up. Maybe make it a goal to hit the gym Monday through Thursday, or add strength training to your cardio routine. And don’t let gym-timidation get the best of you! To get to where you want to be, you have to start with where you are. 

3. Cook one healthy meal a week.

If you’ve got a kitchen, consider challenging yourself to cook a healthy meal once a week. It’s relaxing and rewarding. Check out @wlulex on Pinterest for simple recipe ideas to get you started.

For Your Happiness:

1. Plan a weekly lunch date with a friend you don’t see so often.

Is your new schedule throwing you off? If you’re missing out on quality time with an old friend, make plans to get lunch at Hillel or coffee at the Tea House once a week. Stick to your plan, and you can be sure you'll stay in touch with the people who matter most.

2. Incorporate “free time” into your schedule.

Washington & Lee students aren’t just students; they’re athletes, volunteers, and club leaders. We know how quickly your week can fill up with activities. If this semester’s commitments have you feeling stressed, schedule some down-time into your week. Maybe reserve Saturday afternoons for adventures with friends, or Sundays for movie nights with roommates. Don’t be afraid to take time to relax. 

3. Make a Lexington bucket list to complete by the end of the year.

If you’re a senior, or just any student looking to make the most of your time in Lex, now is the time to make that bucket list! Hike House Mountain, take the plunge at Panther Falls, drink milkshakes at the Pink Cadillac Diner. Whatever is on your list, make it happen!

For Your Future:

1. Make an appointment with Career Development.

It’s never too early to establish a relationship with Washington & Lee’s Career & Professional Development team. Career Development can help you search for internships, enhance your resume, or outline a career path. Click here to learn more about what they have to offer. To schedule an appointment with a member of the team, just call 540.458.8595 or stop by the office on the third floor of Elrod Commons. 

2. Establish your LinkedIn presence.

So is LinkedIn really that important? The answer is yes. Recruiters and employers use LinkedIn to search for and evaluate job candidates. Aim to beef up your LinkedIn profile this year with a professional profile picture, more connections, and a detailed outline of your experiences. Need some guidance? Ask a trusted professor or the Career Development team.

3. Update your resume. 

Calling all First-Years who haven’t updated your resume since high school...now is the time. Whether you’re applying for selective on-campus organizations or summer internships, Career Development resume experts can help you strengthen your resume to stand out from other candidates.